A few days ago, the Croatian Water Polo Association informed the Montenegrin Water Polo Association that the Croatian national team does not want to play the World Cup Superfinal matches in the Kotor pool named after Zoran Džimi Gopčević, a former water polo player and guard in the Morinje camp.
On Monday, information arrived that this request was accepted, so the finale will be from Kotor transfer to Podgorica. For the official change of venue of the tournament, only the confirmation of the World Water Polo Organization is needed.
Press release from the office of the Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić we transmit in full:
Government of Montenegro recognizes sport as one of its priorities and has confirmed this through record support for sports federations, but also through investments in the improvement of infrastructure, as well as assistance in the organization of major international competitions. In this way, the Government recognizes the importance of playing matches at the highest level with the aim of maturing our talented athletes, so that they can achieve top results in the future.
Considering the known circumstances regarding s by the name of the swimming pool in Kotorthe holding of the final tournament in that city could result in the failure of all the best national teams that won the place to perform, which would diminish the sporting significance of the competition itself. Playing against the best teams is of great importance for our rejuvenated water polo team, especially at the beginning of the new Olympic cycle. Therefore, we believe that it would organization of the final tournament in Podgorica fully corresponded to the sporting interests of our country. We invite all ‘Ajkul’ fans to fill the indoor pool of SC Morača during April and support Montenegro.
On the other hand, we are convinced that the Kotor swimming pool will have the opportunity to host the best water polo players in the world in the near future, and that resolve the disputed issue through dialogueto the satisfaction of both sides – Montenegro and Croatia, and especially to the joy of all sports workers and water polo fans, it is stated in the press release delivered by the Cabinet of the Government of Montenegro.
The Croatian authorities do not allow water polo players to play in the Kotor pool because it bears the name Zoran Džimi Gopčević, who is accused of war crimes in the Morinja camp.
In case you still decide to organize the finale World Cup in Kotorour national team will cancel the performance, even at the cost of sanctions by World Aquatics. We believe that this would not suit anyone and would jeopardize the cooperation of the two Associations, as well as the playing of the regional league, they wrote in a press release at the time.
The Kotor Municipality Assembly in August 2021 decided that the city swimming pool, which until then was called “Niksha Bucin” after the anti-fascist who died in the fight with the Chetniks in 1944, renamed “Zoran Džimi Gopčević”, with the explanation that he is one of the best water polo players in this area.
The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MVEP) of Croatia condemned the decision of the Kotor Assembly to name the swimming pool after Zoran Džimi Gopčević, who, as stated, was guard of the infamous Morinja camp in 1991. The decision to rename the swimming pool was also condemned by the Croatian National Council (HNV) of Montenegro as a hasty and unreasonable act, which they believe does not contribute to good neighborly relations between Croatia and Montenegro.
The final tournament is scheduled from April 11 to 13. Montenegro, Croatia, Spain, Hungary, Greece, USA, Japan, Germany and the Netherlands will take part in it. Montenegro – Croatia, Spain – Germany, Greece – Japan, Hungary – Netherlands will play in the quarter-finals, and three national teams will qualify for the World Cup. Serbia, Croatia and the USA already have visas based on placement at the Olympic Games.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: David Damnjanovic/PIXSELL)
